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Surplus of elephants in Zimbabwe inspires anguish, debate

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BY LINDA MUJURU

One late April evening, Christina Mudzongachiso and her husband were about to head home after a day in their cotton fields in Mbire, a rural community in northern Zimbabwe.

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That’s when a lone elephant thundered toward them.

With her 18-month-old lashed to her back, Mudzongachiso and her husband, Nero Muunganirwa, scampered away, and in an effort to save his wife and child, Muunganirwa pushed them out of the elephant’s path.

But as he did, the animal trampled him.

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He died instantly.

Elephants have killed more than 100 people in Zimbabwe in recent years, as the country faces a crisis that would have been unheard of decades ago: After its elephant population plunged to fewer than 5,000 in the early 1900s, Zimbabwe is now witnessing conflict between humans and wildlife fomented by the presence of too many of the giant herbivores.

The problem has revived a debate over the role of so-called trophy hunters, an elite clutch of tourists who slay hundreds of elephants a year.

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Government officials say the hunters both help cull the elephants and provide much-needed revenue for a pandemic-ravaged tourism sector.

But activists argue that the hunters do more harm than good.

“We believe that animals do not need to pay with their lives to ensure that their species are protected,” said Farai Maguwu, director of the Centre for Natural Resource Governance, a Zimbabwe-based advocacy and research organization.

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Trophy hunters typically kill about 200 elephants a year.

For the privilege of roaming Zimbabwe’s parks for elephants, lions and other wildlife between May and November, they pay tens of thousands of dollars.

They have come in for criticism before.

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In 2015, an American dentist on a trophy hunting trip in Zimbabwe attracted global scorn when he used a bow and arrow to kill a 12-year-old lion named Cecil.

At the time, the elephant population had rebounded to about 83,000. Ideally, Zimbabwe can host up to 50,000 elephants, said Tinashe Farawo, corporate communications manager for the government’s Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority.

Today, there are more than 100,000.

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The growth has outstripped the parks’ capacity to meet the elephants’ needs, Farawo said.

And the coronavirus outbreak only made the situation worse.

Yet trophy hunters don’t kill enough animals to dent Zimbabwe’s elephant population, said Rob Lurie, chairman of the Zimbabwe Professional Guides Association.

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Among the hunters are people like Tom from Michigan, a state in the Midwestern United States, who asked not to be fully identified for fear of being stigmatized. His last hunting foray cost the retired contractor $30,000.

On that trip in 2018, he killed a bull elephant.

“We found the bull elephant feeding on some brush in the late afternoon,” he said. “Having seen he was a good-quality old bull with one broken tusk, I decided it was a worthy animal to harvest.”

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Using a large-caliber rifle from 10 yards (about 9 meters) away, he shot the elephant in the head.

“It was emotional, but I know it was necessary,” he said, suggesting that killing the elephant helped Zimbabwe’s conservation efforts.

“And yes, I did enjoy the adrenaline of the hunt.”

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Trophy hunters usually target older male and female elephants because of their ivory — a practice that “is extremely detrimental to the [elephant] population because both sexes provide critically important ecological and social knowledge, and they aid in the survival of the entire group,” said Audrey Delsink, wildlife director for Humane Society International/Africa, an animal protection group.

Trophy hunters are not to blame for conflicts between elephants and humans, Lurie said. Zimbabwe simply has too many elephants and not enough space for them.

“Because their population habitat is being destroyed, [the elephants] end up moving to where people live in search for food.”

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Elephants have killed 120 people in just the last three years, peaking at 60 last year, said Farawo, the wildlife authority representative. And this year, they’ve already taken at least 30 lives.

One proposed solution: Add elephants to areas that don’t have as many, Farawo says. But that’s expensive.

Other revenue-generating options are more politically fraught. They include trophy hunting as well as selling both ivory — a practice outlawed in many countries — and the animals themselves.

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“Tourism is not the panacea to wildlife,” Farawo said. “We need to have other options that we use to raise money.”

Trophy hunting helps fund animal conservation and aids rural Zimbabweans, said Emmanuel Fundira, president of the Safari Operators Association of Zimbabwe.

Tom, the trophy hunter, recalls that during his trip, “we took meat to the school and clinic and then the rest of the people.

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“There was a lot of excitement and happiness with our delivery.

“Some of these people had lost crops to the elephants, and this was some compensation at least.”

Trophy hunters go home after their trips, but “it is locals who bear the brunt of wildlife vengeance,” Maguwu said.

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Mudzongachiso (43), knows this all too well.

She and Muunganirwa, who was 48 when he died, had been married for about three decades and had five children.

She recalls that he worked six days a week in their cotton fields, rarely quitting before sunset.

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In their village, he was a headman — a traditional leader — who advised neighbors and helped resolve conflicts. At home, Mudzongachiso said, he loved to play with his children.

“It pains me to think that he died so unexpectedly,” she said.

“I don’t know how l am going to carry on from where he left.

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“Something should be done to avoid more people getting killed by these elephants.” – Global Press Journal

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In the community

Crocodile attacks claim 9 lives, injure 11

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BY NOKUTHABA DLAMINI

A surge in crocodile attacks has left a trail of death and destruction in Zimbabwe, with 9 fatalities and 11 injuries reported in the last two months.

According to a statement released by the Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority (ZimParks), 49 human-crocodile conflict cases were recorded during the same period, resulting in the loss of 44 cattle and 60 goats.

The Mid-Zambezi region, which includes Lake Kariba, Angwa River, and Hunyani River, was the hardest hit, with 19 cases reported. The Central region recorded 14 cases, while 16 cases were reported in other areas, including Matopo, Harare, North-West Matabeleland, and South-East Low-veld.

ZimParks has urged communities to exercise extreme caution, especially around water bodies, during the current rain season. The authority has advised communities to ensure that livestock and children are not left unattended near rivers or lakes, and to take precautions when engaging in water activities such as fishing, swimming, and domestic chores.

To mitigate the situation, ZimParks is working closely with local authorities and conservation partners to raise public awareness and promote safety practices. The authority has emphasized its commitment to finding a balance between ensuring public safety and conserving wildlife.

As the situation continues to unfold, ZimParks has appealed to the public to remain vigilant and to report any crocodile sightings or attacks to the authorities.

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Lion found poached in Victoria Falls

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BY NOKUTHABA DLAMINI

A disturbing poaching incident has shaken the conservation community in Victoria Falls, with a lion found brutally killed and mutilated.

According to a statement released by the Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority (ZimParks), a team from the Vic Falls Wildlife Trust was tracking a collared lion when they stumbled upon a gruesome scene.

The poached lion’s flesh had been removed, and its claws and head were missing. However, in a heartening turn of events, a second lion, an adult male, was found caught in a snare but still alive.

Thanks to the swift intervention of veterinary doctors, the second lion was successfully treated and rescued from the snare.

ZimParks has condemned the incident and vowed to work closely with the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) to bring the perpetrators to justice.

“We are worried about the increasing cases of lion poaching, and we will continue to work with the Police and other conservation partners to curb this challenge,” said Tinashe Farawo, ZimParks Spokesperson.

The incident has raised concerns about the safety of wildlife in the area, with ZimParks rangers and anti-poaching units conducting snare-sweeping patrols to protect the animals.

As the investigation continues, conservationists and wildlife enthusiasts are calling for increased efforts to combat poaching and protect Zimbabwe’s precious wildlife heritage.

 

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ZimParks sounds alarm over mining threat to Hwange National Park

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BY NOKUTHABA DLAMINI 

The Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority (ZimParks) has issued a stern warning against a proposed mining project in Hwange National Park, citing catastrophic consequences for the park’s ecosystem and wildlife.

In a press statement released today, ZimParks urged the Ministry of Mines and Mining Development to cancel the application for exclusive prospecting of mining activities in the Sinamatella Black Rhino Intensive Protection Zone.

The zone is a critical habitat for the critically endangered black rhino, listed under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Flora and Fauna (CITES) Appendix 1.

“The proposed mining project poses a significant threat to the survival of our black rhino population,” said a ZimParks spokesperson Tinashe Farawo. “It will increase the risk of species extinction and negatively impact population recovery efforts.”

ZimParks also expressed concerns over the potential environmental degradation, including land, air, and noise pollution, which would disrupt wildlife movement and visitor experiences.

“Hwange National Park is home to Africa’s second-largest elephant population, and mining activities may interfere with groundwater flow, threatening vital water sources,” Farawo added.

The park is also home to the Bumbusi ruins, a historical and cultural site of significance to the Nambian-speaking communities.

Traditional leaders from the region visit the area annually to conduct cultural rituals and rain-making ceremonies.

ZimParks has vowed to continue advocating for the safeguarding of critical wildlife habitats and upholding its commitment to conservation for the benefit of all Zimbabweans and future generations.

The authority has called on the government to prioritize conservation efforts and reject the mining application, citing the long-term benefits of preserving the park’s ecosystem and wildlife.

As the fate of Hwange National Park hangs in the balance, conservationists, tourists, and local communities wait with bated breath for the government’s decision.

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